Hay-loader.



No. saws. Patentod Supt. 3, l90l. DAIN, 1a..

HAY LOADEB.

(Application mm 1m. 2a, 1894.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shoat l.

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No. 68!.778. Patented Sept. 3. I90l. .1. DAIN, 1a..

HAY LOADEB.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1894.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

(No Modal.)

' Patented Sept. 3, IBM. J. DAIN, 1a.. Y

HAY LUADEB.

(Application filed Mar. 26, 1894.)

4 Sheetaheet a.

1/ u a B a a Q 0 4: a e c o e i o o O O a o e i a 7% E A 75 73 /3 No. mama; Patented Sept. 3, 190:.

J. DAIN, 18..

HAY LOADEB.

- (Application filed 1m. 26,1894.) (Ila Model.)

4 Sheets-Shset 4.

UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH DAIN, JR., OF CARROLLTON, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO DAIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

HAY-LOADER.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,778, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed March 26, 1894. Serial No. 505,113. (No model) To all whmn it may cmwerle:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH DAIN, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Carrollton, Carroll county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay- Loaders, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the lower ends of the rake-frames. Fig. 4 is a detail showing the devices for locking the pivoted frame. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the spring foroperating such locking devices. Fig. 6 is an inner View of one of the wheelhubs. Fig. '7 is a similar view, the cap being removed to show the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism. Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal vertical section showing the drive-gear. Fig. 9 is a detail showing one of the brackets in which are mounted the rake-teeth.

My invention relates to hay-loaders, and particularly to loaders which are adapted to be hitched to the rear end of a hay-wagon, so that they may be drawn over the field and will operate to collect the hay and load it upon the wagon. Machines of this class in general consist of an elevator-frame mounted on wheels, over which elevator-frame are reciprocated a pair of rake-frames provided with suitable teeth, the rake-frames being reciprocated by the forward motion of the loader in such manner that they will rake up the hay from the ground, carry it over the elevator-frame, and deposit it upon the wagon hitched to the forward end of the loader. For the purpose of reciprocating the rakeframes it has been customary to provide at each side of the elevator-frame a sprocketwheel driven by a chain from sprocket-wheels mounted upon the axle of the loader or connected to the carrying-wheels, the rake-frames being mounted upon crank-shafts driven by the first mentioned sprocket wheels, such crank-shafts being arranged above the elevator-frame. Such arrangement of the crankshafts is objectionable for the reason that such shaft is apt to interfere with the movement of the hay, and it also necessitates the use of a pair of sprocket-wheels at each side of the machine in order to prevent strain and insure the proper Working of the machine.

In my improved machine I avoid the objections above pointed out by locating the crank-shaft under the elevator-frame, such crank-shaft being provided with a double crank at each end and with levers which connect the cranks to the rear portions of the rake frames. A single pair of sprocketwheels is provided at the center of the machine for the purpose of driving the crankshaft.

Another improvement resides in providing an improved hinged extension for the elevator-frame which may be turned down for the purpose of delivering hay from a lower point upon the wagon before the wagon has been loaded to any considerable extent, thereby preventing the hay from being scattered by the wind. Other improvements relate to mechanism for adjusting the height of the rear ends of the rake-frames and means whereby the driving power is applied with the greatest force to the crank-shaft at the proper time to secure the best results.

What I regard as my invention will be set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates the elevator-frame, having side bars 11 12, the

lower ends of which are provided with shoes 13, which are adapted to rest upon the ground when the hay-loader is in use. As shown in Fig. 1, the bed of the elevator-frame is composed of a series of slats 14:, the frame being secured together by cross-bars 15.

16 17 indicate the Wheels.

18 indicates the draft-frame,and 19 the axle.

The elevator-frame 10 is mounted upon the carriage by means of standards 20, secured upon the axle 19 and rising therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2, and by side bars 21, which are also connected to the axle 19 outside of the wheels and extend rearward and are connected to the side bars 22, the latter side bars being connected to the side bars 11 12, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. A cross-bar 23 connects the upper ends of the bars 22 at opposite sides of the machine. By this construction the position of the elevator-frame upon the axle 19 may be changed. The bars 2O 21 are preferably pivoted upon said axle. 'lhe elevator-frame is further supported upon the carriage by means of bars 24 25, which are mounted upon the axle 19 near its center, and are secured to one of the cross-bars by braces 26, as shown in Fig. 8. In the upper ends of the bars 24 25 is journaled an elliptical sprocket-wheel 27, as best shown in Fig. 1. Extending through the sprocketwheel 27 is an opening through which passes a crank-shaft 28, which extends to and is provided with bearings at the opposite sides of the elevator-frame, as shown in Fig. 1. The bearings which support the ends of the shaft 28 are supported in brackets 29, secured to the side bars 11 and one of the cross-bars 15.

30 indicates a sprocketwheel which is mounted upon and keyed to the axle 19, such wheelbeing located between the bars 24 25, as shown in Fig. l. A link belt 32 connects the wheel 30 with the elliptical wheel 27 ,passing over an idler 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. Each end of the axle 19 is provided with a ratchet-wheel 34, which is keyed to it, as shown in Fig. 7.

35 indicates a pawl, one of which is secured to the hub of each wheel 16 17 over the adjacent ratchet-wheel 34 in such position that it may be moved into engagement with such ratchet-wheel when desired. Each pawl 35 is provided with a bent arm 36, which extends to the outside of the hub, the bent portion of such arm being adapted to be engaged by an arm 37, carried by a short shaft pivoted in the hub of the wheel and having an arm 38,

by means of which the shaft may be rocked. The arrangement of the device is such that by operating the arm 38 the arm 37 may be caused to engage the arm 36, thereby lifting the pawl 35 out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel 34. A spring 39 inside the hub serves to return the pawl 35 into engagement with the ratchet-wheel when the arm 37 is in position to permit of such return. By this construction the axle 19 and sprocket-wheel 30 may be thrown into or out of connection with the wheels 16 17, as desired.

In order to press the heel of the loader yieldingly upon the ground, I provide springs 40, which are mounted upon a lever or yoke 41, pivotally connected by a link 42 to the draft-frame 18, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The upper ends of the yoke 41 are fitted into a bracket 43, which is pivoted between the bars 24 25, as shown in Figs 1, 2, and 8, on a pivot 43, Fig. 2, the arrangement being such that the side pieces of the yoke 41 may slide in the bracket 43. A pin 44 connects the upper ends of the yoke 41 and serves to prevent said yoke from becoming disengaged from the bracket 43. A pin 45 is provided at the lower ends of the springs 40 and is adjustable in the yoke 41 for the purpose of adjusting the tension of said springs. As shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the lower portion of the yoke 41 is bent forward and rests upon the link 42, which arrangement prevents the yoke 41 and link 42 from moving backward at the point where they are pivoted together. The lower end of the yoke 41 may, however, be drawn forward, thereby causing the elevator-frame to tilt into a more nearly horizontal position, when its weight will be received upon the springs 40.

To the upper portion of the elevator-frame is pivoted an extension-frame 46, which forms a continuation of the elevator-frame,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The extension-frame 46 is provided at its sides with clips 47, which encircle pivoted bars 48, which are connected to the side pieces of the elevator-frame. The bars 48 are provided on the inside with a series of notches 49, as shown in Fig. 4.

5O 51 indicate locking-rods which are secured to a cross-bar 52 of the extension-frame and extend at opposite sides of the frame and are adapted to engage the notches 49 in the bars 48, as shown in Fig. 4. The inner ends of the rods 50 51 are provided with arms 53 54. Between such arms is a spring 55, as shown in Fig. 5. The spring 55 serves to separate the rods 50 51, holding them in contact with the bars 48. By pressing the arms 53 54 together the rods 50 51 will be withdrawn from contact with the bars 48, permitting the extension-frame to be swung down for the purpose of regulating the height from which the hay is delivered to the wagon.

The raking mechanism consists of two rakeframes, each of which is made up of a number of rake-bars 56, connected by transverse bars or rods 57 58, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, each rake-bar being connected to its appropriate connecting-rod 57 or 58 by uprights 59 and inclined braces 60, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. The upper ends of the rake-bars of each rake-frame are connected by transverse rods 61 62, which transverse rods are connected to their respective bars by uprights 63. The rods 61 62 are provided at their ends with rollers 64, which run upon bars 65, secured to the side pieces 11 12 of the elevatorframe, as best shown in Fig. 2, such rollers being held in position upon the bars 65 by clips 66, as also shown in Fig. 2. This construction provides for an easy and steady movement of the upper ends of the rakeframes. Each rake-bar 56 carries on its under side a series of teeth 67, which teeth are mounted in brackets 68, secured to the under sides of the rake-bars. Each bracket 68 is provided with forward and rear shoulders 69.

70 and with a rear channel 71, in which the rake-tooth is placed. By this construction the rake-teeth may be tilted forward, but cannot be moved backward beyond a position at right angles or substantially at right angles,

to the rake-bars. At the lower ends of the IIS arms 73 at each side of the machine being connected bya lever 75 to the corresponding end of the rod 58 and the crank-arms 7a at each side of the machine being connected by a lever 76 to the corresponding end of the rod 57. The lever 75 at each side of the machine is connected by a rod 77 to a sliding block 7 S, which moves upon the upper side of the corresponding bar 21, as shown in Fig. 2, and the lever 76 is connected by a rod 79 to a sliding block 80, which bears upon the under side of the bar 21, the two sliding always in opposite directions.

blocks 78 80 being connected by straps 81 82 on the outside and by a strap 83 on the inside, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8. By this construction when the crank-shaft 28 is rotated the rake-frames will be reciprocated over the elevator-frame, the two rake-frames moving By adjusting the position of the blocks 78 80 upon the bar 21 the height of the rake-frames can be regulated as desired, and for the purpose of adjusting such blocks a lever 84 is provided at each side of the machine and is connected to the blocks 78 80, or either of them, by a rod 85 and link 86, as best shown in Fig. 2. A

segment 87 is provided, so that the leverSt may be locked in any desired position.

For the purpose of hitching the loader to a wagon I provide a hook 88, which is secured to the forward portion of the draft-frame by a staple 89 or other suitable device, so that the hook may be thrown over for the purpose of unhitching. To secure the hook in position when the loader is hitched to a wagon, a yoke 90 is provided, which is hinged to the draft-frame and is movable over the end of the hook 88, as shown in Fig. 2. By throwing the yoke 90 backward the end of the hook 88 may be released.

91 indicates a cord which is connected to the yoke 90 and passes through the link 42 and an eyelet or other suitable guides suitably secured in the frame of the machine, to the upper part of the elevator -frame, as shown in Fig. 3, where it may be provided with a handle 92. By pulling the cord 01 the yoke 90 may be swung over to release the hook 88, and the loader may thereby be unhitched from the Wagon by the man upon the load.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pivots of the lever or yoke 41 and link 42 are so arranged as to be movable into line with each other, but as the lower portion of the yoke 41 passes in front of the link 42 such pivots cannot pass back far beyond a straight line. An automatic lock is thereby provided for holding the springs 40 in operative position to press the heel of the loader yieldingly upon the ground. The lower end of the lever 41 may be drawn forward a greater or less extent for the purpose of throwing the springs out of action or for permitting the loader to be turned into a more or less horizontal position, as above set forth.

For the purpose of securing the application of the greatest power to the rake-frames when they are nearest the ground the elliptical sprocket-wheel 27 is so adjusted upon the shaft 28 that when the rake-frames are in their lowermost position the greater axis of such sprocket-wheel will be substantially perpendicular to the forward portion of the link belt by which it is driven, so that the greatest leverage will at that time be secured for rotating the crank-shaft. here two rakeframes are employed, as in the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings, an elliptical sprocket-wheel is used, and said wheel is adjusted so that its major axis will lie at right angles to the link belt at the proper time, so that the two rake-frames will be similarly operated; but I would have it understood thatI do not wish to be restricted to the specific construction shown, as modifications may be made without affecting the invention. By operating the rake-frames by means of a crank-shaft and one or more levers having their outer ends supported, as shown, the lower rake-teeth are caused to move in a more or less elliptical path, the major axis of the ellipse being parallel, or substantially so, to the ground, so that more of a raking movement is secured, which is exceedingly important.

While my improved machine is designed primarily for loading hay, it may be used for any other purpose for which it is adapted, and I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific form of the improvements herein claimed, as many variations may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, of an extension-frame hinged at its lower end thereto, bars pivotally connected at their upper ends to the side pieces of the elevator-frame and engaged by the extension-frame, and means for locking said extension-frame to said side pieces to hold it at different angles to the elevator-frame, substantially as described.

2. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator frame, and an extension frame hinged at its lower end tl1ereto,of bars notched at the sides and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the side pieces of the elevatorframe, and dogs adapted to engage said notches for locking said extension-frame to said pivoted bars, substantially as described.

3. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator frame, and an extension frame hinged at its lower end thereto, of pivoted bars 48 at the sides of said extension-frame and having their upper ends pivotally connected to the side pieces of the elevator-frame, said bars having notches 4L9, rods 50 adapted to engage said notches, and a spring 55 between said rods, substantially as described.

4. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, an axle, supporting-wheels on said axle, a rotary crank-shaft arranged below said elevator-frame and having a double crank at each end thereof, two rake-frames above said elevator-frame, levers connecting each of said rake-frames with one of the cranks at each end of said crank-shat t, said levers being fulcrumed between their ends, and means for rotating said crank-shaft from said axle, substantially as described.

5. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame,reciprocatin g rocking levers connected with said rake-bars, means for reciprocating and rocking said levers, and traveling fulcra supporting said levers between their connections with the rake-bar and operating means, substantially as described.

6. In a hay-loader, the combination with an axle, and an elevator-frame, of a rake-bar adapted to be reciprocated over said elevatorframe, a rotary crank-shaft, levers connecting said rake-bar and crank-shaft for operating the rake-bar, adjustable fulcra for said levers, means for securing the fulcra in position when adjusted, and mechanism connecting the axle and crank-shaft-for rotating said shaft by the forward motion of the loader, substantially as described.

7. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of a crankshaft, said crank-shaft having a pair of crankarms at each end, levers connecting the different crank-arms-with the rake-bars, traveling fulcra supporting said levers between their ends, and means for rotating said crankshaft by the forward motion of the loader, substantially as described.

8. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of a crank-shaft having a pair of crank-arms at each end, le.

vers connecting the different crank-arms with the rake-bars, means for rotating said crankshaft by the forward motion of the loader, and adjustable rocking supports for said levers, substantially as described. 7

9. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of a crank driving-shaft, and levers connected at one end to said shaft, and at the other end to said rakebars, and provided with adjustable rocking supports, substantially as described.

10. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of cranks and levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, movable fulcra for said levers, adjustable supports for said fulcra, and means for adjusting said supports, substantially as described.

11. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of reciproeating rocking levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, adjustable fulcra for said levers,

saints and means for operating said levers, substan= tially as described.

12. In'a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rakebars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of cranks and levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, bars connected with the elevator frame, blocks movable upon said bars, swinging bars mounted at one end on said blocks and at the other end connected to said levers, and means for securing the blocks against movement while the loader is in operation, substantially as des scribed.

13. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocatedover said frame, of cranks and levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, stationary bars 21 connected with the elevatorframe, blocks movable upon said bars, swinging bars mounted on said blocks and connected to said levers, and adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of said blocks upon said bars 21, substantially as described.

14. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of a crankshaft, levers connecting said crank-shaft to said rake-bars, whereby, by the rotation of said shaft, the rake-bars will be reciprocated, adjustable rocking supports for said levers, and an elliptical sprocket-wheel for driving said shaft, said sprocket-wheel being adjusted so that the greatest power will be applied to the rotation of said shaft when the rake-bars are nearest the ground, substantially as described.

15. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of a crank shaft, levers connecting said crank-shaft to rake-bars, whereby, by the rotation of said shaft, the rake-bars will be reciprocated, adjustable rocking supports for said levers, an elliptical sprocket-wheel mounted upon said crank-shaft, and a sprocket-wheel and belt for rotating said first-mentioned sprocketwheel, said elliptical sprocket-Wheel being so adjusted that the greatest power will be applied to the rotation of said shaft when the rake-bars are nearest the ground.

16. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted'to be reciprocated over said frame, of reciprocating rocking levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, adjustable fulcra for said levers, means for operating said levers, and locking devices for locking the fulcra in their different positions of adjustment, substantially as described.

17. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of rocking levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, adjustable fulcra for said levers, and driving devices arranged below the elevator-frame for operating said rocking levers, substantially as described.

18. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator-frame, and rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, of rocking levers for reciprocating said rake-bars, adjustable fulcra for said levers, locking devices for securing said fulcra in their different positions of adjustment, and driving mechanism arranged below the elevatorframe for operating said rocking levers, substantially as described.

19. The combination with an elevatorframe, rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, reciprocating rocking levers connected with said rake-bars, means for reciprocating and rocking said levers, and swinging supports on which said levers are mounted between their connections with the rake-bars and operatin g means, substantially as described.

20. The combination with an elevatorframe, rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, reciprocating rocking levers connected with said rake-bars, means connected with one end of said rake-bars for reciprocating and rocking them and traveling fulcra for said levers, substantially as described.

21. In a hay-loader, the combination with an elevator frame, rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, reciprocating rocking levers connected with said rake-bars, means for reciprocating and rocking said 1evers, traveling fulcra supporting said levers between their connections with the rake-bars and operating means, and means for adjusting the position of said fulcra, substantially as described.

22. The combination with an elevatorframe, rake-bars adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, reciprocating rocking levers connected with said rake-bars, means for reciprocating and rocking said levers, swinging supports on which said levers are mounted between their ends, and means for adjusting the points about which said swinging supports swing, substantially as described.

23. The combination with an elevatorframe, rakes adapted to be reciprocated over said frame, reciprocating rocking levers connected with said rakes and fulcrumed between their ends, means for reciprocating and rocking said levers, and means for adjusting the fulcra of said levers toward and from the elevator-frame to Vary the path traversed by said rakes with reference to the elevatorfrarne, substantially as described.

JOSEPH DAIN, JR.

Witnesses:

JOHN L. JACKSON, RALPH VAN DYKE. 

